Congressman DeSaulnier Calls on Chairman Chaffetz to Convene Hearing on NFL’s Concussion-Related Research

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), a member of the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform (OGR), called on Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) to convene a hearing to look into long-standing criticisms of the National Football League (NFL)’s actions related to concussions.

Last week, the New York Times reported that data gathered by the NFL between 1996 and 2001 to study the dangers of concussions excluded at least ten percent of head injuries diagnosed by team doctors from its findings.

“Blatant gaps in data collection and analysis undermine the credibility of the NFL’s concussion studies and call into question the League’s commitment to fully understanding the dangers associated with the sport. These reports clearly slowed the march toward safer techniques, better technology, and improved education on football fields across the United States, and provided false comfort to coaches, student athletes, and parents,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.

“While the NFL relinquished its long-held tax exempt status last year, the League still enjoys certain antitrust exemptions allowing it to act as a monopoly, making their actions and policies uniquely provocative to Congress and our committee. In the interest of providing our parents and coaches with the information they need to determine the long-term impacts of all contact sports on student athletes, it is my hope that you will convene a hearing to better understand the NFL’s position and ongoing efforts regarding concussion-related research,” concluded DeSaulnier.

Congressman DeSaulnier has been a fierce advocate for educating America’s youth about the potential negative consequences of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions. He is the author of the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act (H.R. 2062), which creates nationwide standards on concussion safety.

Another “its for the children” bunch of crap. What does the NFL and ‘parents’ have to do with this. This may be a local level issue: College on down but not a pro-ball matter. Maybe just bubble wrap Little Skyler to its iPhone and lock the doors.

I stopped watching pro football in the 80’s due the primate dancing like a…………..primate. With that said if football idiots want to damage their inadequate brains, so be it.

I too am disappointed the congressman Mark Desaulnier seems to be championing and supporting these minor, almost odd-ball issues. I wish he’d focus on the really big problems facing us citizens in our everyday lives.
This seems like the third such trivial Pursuits of his in the last 3 months. Please get on with the serious stuff.

What a complete embarrassment Mark is to our district, state, and country. After his nonsense as a state representative, is it any surprise he carries on with his senseless endeavors in Washington? Shame on those who voted for this clown.

Yes, the NFL has worked hard and long to hide and obfuscate brain trauma issues.

However, how about we just issue the following statement -hell – put it on signs as everyone enters a football locker room.

“Repeated hits to the head – even if wearing a helmet – can cause serious brain trauma. So, don’t do something that leads to having your head impacted year after year, decade after decade, unless you are willing to accept the risk.”

Watched the movie Concussion last night and if you haven’t seen it, watch it. It’s an incredible movie and sad too. In the movie, they mention how players that have been hit hard, land hard on their head, are still put back in the game. The movie takes place in Pittsburgh focusing around a few Steeler players that have sadly committed suicide due to the concussion they received while playing. Bennet Omalu, who discovered this, is an incredible smart man and didn’t get the respect that he deserved for the discovery.

Football is a great sport, but the coaches need to realize the serious effects that when a player gets hit hard, where they player doesn’t know what’s going on, needs to keep the player out and immediately get checked out and have regular check ups,

So much for the American Experience of LIMITED government. The dumbass voters elected this career whore politician who supports the teachers union over school-choice and who bankrupted our county with unfunded public sector pensions.

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